NEWSLETTER Newsletter of the Local History Society INCORPORATING THE WI LKINSON SOCIETY

AUGUST 2019

MEETINGS What’s On Elsewhere? Meetings of the Broseley Local History Society are held on the first Wednesday of each month at September 18th Friends of the Gorge 7.30pm at the Broseley Social Club, High Street, Museum. An Inspector Called – 50th Anniversary unless otherwise announced. Car parking is Talk. A talk by John Yates, retired Inspector of available at the back of the Club. Historic Buildings, English Heritage. 7.30pm in the Members are requested to be seated by 7.30pm to Glass Classroom, . allow our speakers a prompt start. Visitors are welcome but are asked to give a October 5th. Caughley Society Meeting Invitation donation towards Society funds. to Members: 10:30-16:30 (approx.) at China Museum. This is chargeable. Please see BLHS PROGRAMME BLHS website for further details th 4 . Sept. “ Girl writes book on ” (Pat Bracegirdle). October 16th Friends of the 2nd. Oct. John Randall (John Willock). Museum. The Work of an Archivist – 50th th Anniversary Talk. A talk by Sarah Roberts. 6 . Nov. “Both Sides of the River”- Joint meeting Archivist at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. with the IGM Friends (Neil Clarke). 7.30pm in the Glass Classroom. 4th. Dec. Annual Dinner. November 6th Friends of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum. Both sides of the River: the Friends and the Broseley Local History Society An entertaining talk by Neil Clarke and the annual joint meeting CONTENTS with Broseley Local History Society. 7.30pm in the Glass Classroom. BLHS Programme Page 1 What’s On Elsewhere Page 1 The Society has received many requests to hold New Members Page 1 another “Open Day” similar to the one held two Subscription Reminder Page 1 years ago. Therefore, we hope to hold one in Previous Meetings - March next year. Details will be available nearer BALH Award for Neil Clarke Page 2 the time. (Janet Doody) The Story of All Saints Page 2-4 (Michael & Gill Pope) NEW MEMBERS Summer Outing to Hereford Page 4 The Society would like to welcome the following new (Janet Doody, Gill Pope) members: Cholera in Broseley Page 5 Alison Ball - Walsall (Graham Horrox) Gina Barrett - USA Ironbridge Modelling Page 5-6 Stuart & Sarah Dawe - Broseley . Mailbox Page 7 SUBSCRIPTION REMINDER . Janet Robinson would like to remind members who have not paid their annual subscription since the Annual Meeting in October that the cost of membership is £7 for single membership and £12 for double membership. Could you please let Janet have your payment as soon as possible.

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PREVIOUS MEETINGS

BALH Award for Neil Clarke

LOCAL HISTORY DAY AND THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR LOCAL HISTORY (BALH) AGM

On Saturday 1st June, Jim Cooper and I attended the BALH Local History Day and AGM, not only to support Broseley member Neil Clarke who was to receive a Personal Achievement Award, but also to represent our Society. The BALH can award up to 6 Personal Achievement Awards each year to “publicly honour local historians who have made Neil Clarke receives his well-deserved Award. outstanding and significant voluntary contribution to the subject” of local history. The event took place in London at Conway Hall, (which is owned and operated by the Ethical Society and an interesting building in itself); the morning allowed time to browse the displays, the most interesting to us being the Royal College of Nursing Archives. Following the welcome by the Chair of the BALH, Professor David Killingray, was a talk on “Sites of Suffrage: local history and the suffrage centenary” by Professor Krista Cowman, University of Lincoln; in which she illustrated how local history research can add knowledge to much wider interpretations. I found this talk particularly inspiring and have added this area of research to my “to do list”, (one day I hope to achieve all these objectives!). The presentation of awards followed, which not only included 5 for personal achievement, but one for the best Society Newsletter and a number for research articles and publications. After the business of the THE STORY OF ALL SAINTS’ PARISH AGM, Dr Rose Wallis, Associate Director, Regional CHURCH. History Centre, University of the West of delivered the BALH Annual Lecture “Rulers of the Michael Pope began his illustrated talk on May 1st County: the magistracy and the challenge of local by quoting a letter dated 24th December 1842. It government c1790-1834”. I have to say I found this was written by somebody who called himself an lecture a “challenge”, although I acknowledged the Antiquarian – obviously somebody interested in old meticulous research undertaken, as a buildings. The letter was headed – Our visit to “layman/person” I found the content a bit heavy Broseley Church – 24th December 1842. Speaking going though I am sure it was appreciated by the of the church he wrote – “ It’s Gothic tower, indeed academics in the audience. It was a most enjoyable is everything we could wish, though the body of the couple of days and opportunity to see a little of church has all the appearance of a respectable- London, the weather was lovely and Jim and I looking farmer’s outhouse, and nothing more! It is managed to include a Thames river trip as well as a said that the authorities are about to pull down the walk along the Embankment and South Bank. old building shortly for it has no interesting feature about it.” Janet Doody The church referred to in the letter was the predecessor to All Saints’ and was dedicated to St. Leonard.

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Eginton as the architect of this new project. He was born in 1809, the son of Raphael Eginton, a glass painter living in Worcester. Harvey had learnt his architectural skills by studying the Cathedral at Worcester and absorbing information from his father. His rising reputation gained him an increasing number of commissions- new churches and schools, police stations and the restoration of Sudeley Castle and Astley Hall. Unfortunately, he was to die just a few years after the new church at Broseley was completed, on Ash Wednesday 1849, aged just 40 years. His legacy was to provide ST. LEONARD’S CHURCH BROSELEY Broseley with the finest early Victorian Church in the County of . It had stood on the site for something like 150 years. The next job of the Committee was to appoint a The Rector in 1842 was the Rev’d Orlando Watkin building contractor to undertake the building of the Weld-Forester. He had been inducted into the living new church. They appointed a local firm to the previous year at the age of 28 having married undertake the work – William Exley and Sons; Trow Sophia Elizabeth Norman in 1840 and having masters, makers of bricks, roofing and ridge tiles. succeeded his uncle, the Rev’d Townsend Forester On 7th January 1843 a Faculty was granted to take who had been Rector of Broseley for 40 years from down the church and build a new one. John Randall 1801. There is a memorial to Townsend in the in his book ‘Broseley and its surroundings’ states Sanctuary in the present church. that the cost of building the new church was £3,388- 4-0d but in the end the total cost seems to have been between nine thousand and nine and a half thousand – another problem for the Rector! The new church was Consecrated on 22nd July 1845 by the Bishop of Hereford Thomas Musgrave and the Service was followed by a sumptuous feast provided for all and sundry. In 1859 Orlando Forester became Rector of Doveridge in Derbyshire and then moved to the parish of Gedling near Nottingham where he was Rector from 1867 until 1887.In 1874 he became a Residentiary Canon of York Minster and Chancellor of the Diocese of York until his death in 1894. As well as his religious duties he became an authority on Astronomy and Photography. At Doveridge he built an Observatory and published various papers on Astronomical subjects. He was also a pioneer in REVEREND ORLANDO WATKIN WELD-FORESTER the field of modern photography and had his own developing room. He died at his Cathedral duty house in York on 22nd June 1894 aged 81 years and The appointment of a priest to serve the locality was buried at Willey. goes back to at least the 12th century and its Michael then went on to give members a tour of the independence of was probably interior of the church – the tower with its “Ring” of achieved in 1595 with the granting of Burial Rights. eight bells; the organ which was built by J.W.Walker In 1816 the advowson or right of presentation was & Sons of London which was originally installed in sold by John and Mary Cage to a William Porter and the west gallery and then moved to the north aisle he sold it to John Weld in 1620. From then on the before being returned to its original place in 1979; Weld – later the Weld Forester- family enjoyed the the memorial tablets most of which were removed right to appoint the Incumbent as Patrons of the from the earlier building and reinstated in the Living. Following his appointment as Rector present one; the screen behind the High Altar which Orlando decided to do something about the Church. was designed by the eminent Victorian architect He would build a new one, worthy of himself, his George Frederick Bodley and various other family name and of Broseley. It would be the finest furnishings. He especially mentioned the stained- building in the town. A Petition was drawn up later glass windows. The magnificent East window with in the year in the name of the Rector and its five panels was by William Warrington of London Churchwardens and was signed by a large number and dated 1861. It was installed in memory of the of local people. St. Leonard’s Church would have to Thursfield Family who lived at Broseley Hall, as was be demolished and a new church built partly on the the window in the north aisle. He especially site of the old. The Committee then decided to mentioned the window behind the west gallery, and appoint a young man in his early thirties, Harvey which is now totally obscured by the organ. It was installed in memory of William Exley who built the 3

present church, and which was donated by his four a separate exhibition area for which an extra younger children. It is the work of Charles Eamer payment is required, but it was worth it. They are Kempe, one of the greatest Victorian Stained-glass now cared for in controlled temperature and lighting artists. It is hoped that the window will be revealed conditions, better protected and better for viewing. in all its glory sometime in the future. A really good day, the weather stayed kind despite After Michael’s talk the question arose as to why the the recent vagaries of a British summer, Chris really dedication of Broseley Parish Church changed from would have liked to have spent longer at the cider St. Leonard to All Saints’ when the new church was museum, but I needed food (more than the tearoom built. Was it because Linley Church was a part of provided!) so perhaps another visit may be the benefice of Broseley and the church there was forthcoming! Many thanks to Gill and Michael for once again organising a successful trip, we were all dedicated to St. Leonard? was there a sorry Michael wasn’t feeling up to “cider sampling”; disagreement over who should be the patron saint but we did think of you, Michael with a toast of the and so All Saints’ would encompass everyone’s golden liquid!!! The next page has some pictures of point of view? If readers have any further the happy (merry?) event: suggestions or information, then Michael would be pleased to hear from you!

ALL SAINTS CHURCH BROSELEY ADMIRING THE CIDER PRESS Michael & Gill Pope

SOCIETY SUMMER OUTING TO HEREFORD

Our coach awaited us in the Square as Chris, Jan, Harold and I rounded “The Corner Shop” in order to park in the old school yard. All aboard, names checked, heads counted. A drastic reduction in the average age of trippers this year with the inclusion of Gill & Michael’s grandchildren!! Off we set with a scenic drive through the beautiful Shropshire and Herefordshire countryside that brought us to the city of Hereford and its cider museum. Our party was divided into two groups for the guided tours and we were taken through the exhibits that explained cider and perry making from the farm to DISPLAY OF CIDER CUPS contemporary manufacture. The basic rural “on farm” production was very much a local seasonal occupation, using a cider press to crush the fruit and obtain the juice and then storing in barrels to “mature”; all this reminiscent of “The Grundy’s” to many an Archer’s fan! This led on to a more commercial organisation by the Bulmer family that developed to a large site with a bottling plant and all year-round production. Bulmer’s initially set-up the museum but as they became absorbed into various global drinks companies the museum became a charitable trust. After a quick coffee, most made their way into the city centre many ending up at the Cathedral. It’s been a few years since I visited this magnificent building, in fact the Map a Mundi was then on open HOW IT ALL WORKS! view and the chained library in a small room over the porch – all free too. Both are now on display in 4

One of our members, Jocelyne Barbier took some corpses, some of the sick being taken to Calcutts wonderful photographs both at the Cider House which effectively became an isolation Museum and in Hereford Cathedral and she hospital, where some patients recovered. Following a request from the Board of Heath, a piece of land would like to share them with the members of 40ft x 20ft adjacent to the Red Church graveyard Broseley Local History Society. was given by the landowner, Francis Harries for The links are as follows: burials due to cholera as it was not thought “right” https://www.irista.com/gallery/w6ztwk0ojmio to use the main cemetery. The first burial recorded and https://www.irista.com/gallery/xxks6buwdh specifically in the Cholera Field is dated August 18th ht9 1832. The outbreak in was recorded in the London Morning Chronicle of 11th September 1832

stating that between 12th July and 8th September, Janet Doody / Gill Pope 25 cases had been reported with 9 deaths. By

October 1832, the epidemic subsided but at least CHOLERA IN BROSELEY fifteen burials had taken place in the cholera burial

ground. Following recent discussions with a former Curate The following year was free of cholera and in June of Broseley (1972-76), the Reverend John C 1833, the Broseley Board of Health was dissolved. Oakes, he passed me a summary he had made Unfortunately, this was ahead of a further outbreak some years ago of the 19th century cholera in 1834 with twenty-two more burials. The figures epidemic in Broseley. This article relies heavily on for both years are thought to underestimate the that, supplemented by a recent review of Broseley severity of the outbreaks, an example clearly being Parish records and a photograph supplied by local the deaths in July 1832 which had not been resident, Lynn Ball. recorded as due to cholera. Cholera first hit Broseley in 1832. It was the result There are some reports that the burial ground was of one of the earliest identified pandemics which consecrated by the Bishop of Hereford, however started in Bengal in 1826 and spread to Persia, there is no record of this in the Diocesan Archives Afghanistan, Russia and Western Europe by 1830. at Hereford and the land is now thought to be un- The first cases in Great Britain were reported in consecrated. One of the conditions in the donation Sunderland in September 1831 after the port of land for cholera burials was that the any authorities failed to implement a directive to gravestones should lie flat with the ground. An quarantine all vessels arriving from the Baltic. The evocative photograph of one stone has survived disease was previously unknown in England and with the victim’s name and date of death scratched surgeons thought it was transmitted by touch or on it presumably by a distraught bereaved relative. from bad smells; there was no known cure. It is to Thomas Crump who was buried, aged 34 on Symptoms started with giddiness, vomiting and October 4th 1834. Today this stone has been diarrhoea. In many cases death followed in just a sympathetically restored and erected by the few hours. By November 1832, the disease had landowners to mark the site. spread throughout the country, with over 52,000 fatalities. In October 1831 an Order in Council recommended that Boards of Health should be set up in every town. The Broseley Board was established at a public meeting in the Town Hall on 28 November 1831. It included the Rector, Rev’d Townsend Forester, the three surgeons, William Hifields, Richard Thursfield and Richard Wyke, members of the banking Pritchard family and others. It was to meet every Monday evening at 6 p.m. Broseley was divided into three districts, each under the control of one of the surgeons and every house was inspected. The standards of living left much to IN MEMORY OF THOMAS CRUMP improve; some houses were described as being “in a disgusting state and wretchedness” and many The spread of cholera was not formally related to more were “unclean.” contaminated water and food until 1854, by a Dr At first, all went well and in February 1832, the Snow in England. The work of George Pritchard and Broseley Board of Health was suspended as others in Broseley to develop clean water supplies cholera had not appeared in the town. However, this suggests that this cause was already considered was premature as two cases were reported by Mr likely, together with the appalling living conditions. Thursfield on 13 July. They were buried As is well-known, the former Memorial fountain in immediately. Broseley and the Memorial Church of St Mary’s in Attempts were made to stop the disease by isolating Jackfield recognise his significant contribution to the sick, burning the victims’ beds and clothes, the health of the district. painting the walls and roofs of the houses with lime wash and covering drains and sewers, where these Ironbridge Modelling existed. On 23 July, Mr John Griffiths was asked to build a special carriage to collect victims and

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Gavin Smith’s lecture on the restoration of the addition of model abutments make the finished item Bridge brings back to mind the mementoes that can much more realistic and it is up to the modeller to be available. People have been making models of use a favourite technique for scenic work. ever since it first hit the public Both kits can be obtained online or at modellers’ imagination. It is of course famous as a first in cast exhibitions. iron construction. Besides that appeal, it also looks just as a bridge should, with a good base and a Fig 1 A very basic small representation of the bridge graceful loadbearing arch that takes the weight of in Meccano. the useful deck. This all appeals to modellers Fig 2 Showing the use of matchsticks to make a whether they highlight geometric simplicity, want to good representation of the Bridge (Brighton Toy reproduce every structural detail or make Museum). something in between. A completed model can be Fig 3 The completed ‘Modelux’ bridge painted with placed on display to advantage and the techniques a bauxite colour. used to reproduce the structure remain a source of satisfaction. Many years ago, I was privileged to see a model of the bridge made in brass by army craft trainees at Donnington. Each piece of the brass structure was machined to represent closely one of the components of the bridge. The model was on loan for display at the Design Engineering Exhibition at the NEC around 1985 and had to be returned for final silver plating before being donated for use in pride of place in the Officers’ Mess. There are also models of a much simpler ambition.

(Fig 1) The smallest Meccano model seen is FIG 1 mounted on just one plate but much bigger models have been constructed and the Bridge is used in the emblem of the Telford & Ironbridge Meccano Society. The Ironbridge gift shops do sell a small interesting diecast souvenir only 32mm long. A Google of the topic brings up an interesting variety of models including one made from matchsticks exhibited by Brighton Toy Museum. (Fig 2) There are two kits newly available that make modelling much easier. Under the ‘Modelux’ name is marketed a kit made from laser cut 1.3mm mountboard. (Fig 3) It includes the five arches complete and ready for assembly with the supplied spacers. The finished model is 255mm long, 100mm high and 45mm wide. The card comes in a shade of pale blue so a quick repaint with a Bauxite colour is essential FIG 2 before assembly to reproduce the recent repaint of the bridge. The design has been presented with a flat deck since the makers assume that modellers will want the model to be functional in a rail or road layout and will run traffic across it. Their publicity shots do show it complete with a Hornby goods van on deck mounted rails which shows that, once glued together, the structure is sufficiently strong for the purpose. ‘Severn Models’ are located in Broseley and produce a large range model kits based on superb brass precision etchings. Their kit No S1 enables a FIG 3 modeller to produce a very realistic representation of the bridge. This is a more advanced level kit, due Vin Calcutt to the small components and while the traditional method of soldering can be used for assembly it does take considerable skill to avoid excess solder on the joints. The makers expect that most modellers will now use ACC instant clear glue and this does have the advantage that the components can be painted before being assembled. The finished size is approximately 86x37x42mm (3.4x1.5x1.7 inches). Scale approx. 1:450.The

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Mailbox BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR LOCAL HISTORY - (BALH)

Dear Fellow Members, As a member of the above, the society receives copies of the “Local History News” and “The Local Routine tasks such as tending the garden can lead Historian” which are available FREE to members to some interesting archaeological finds when living at our meetings. in a town like Broseley. Recently unearthed in my From the “News”:- front garden is this fragment of a clear (temporarily Updates from, Societies, Archives, Libraries & painted white to highlight its design) glass bottle. Museums: Depicting the Iron Bridge, it is possibly the remnant Lichfield has a new library following a 2 year and of a 1/2 or 1/3 pint milk bottle, perhaps once £1.4 million development, includes TIC, museum supplied by a farm in Dawley or Lawley? Another and access point to the Staffordshire Record plausible suggestion is it contained mineral water or Office digitised archive collection. beer bought from the former Kings Head public Cheshire Archives has a new website: house, located a short distance from where the www.cheshirearchives.org.uk bottle was found! The Locksmiths House Museum, Willenhall (one I have yet to visit has anyone been?), run by the Black Country Living Museum who hold over 14,000 items in its archive collection relating to this business.

Tracing the Belgian Refugees in WW1 the University of Leeds is currently running this project, there were two families in Dawley, were there any in Broseley?

Balsall Heath LHS are researching children who were sent to Canada from Children Homes. This episode of British History has recently attracted investigation, I discovered ancestors who were sent to Canada, have you a similar story?

Janet Doody

Enquires have been made to the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, but unfortunately they have not been able to provide any information. If you can help identify this bottle or have a complete example, please contact Steve Dewhirst, email: [email protected]

Tim Shields

Dear Fellow Shropshire Historian,

I would like to bring to your attention the sad state of affairs existing at the Shropshire Archives. It has been run down over recent years and requires our help to put it right. I have made a website explaining the situation and a course of action. Would you please bring this to the attention of your members and others who might be interested. The website is: http://shropshirearchives.uk/ Nick Harding The Kangaroo Inn Aston-on- SY7 8EW.

Thank you. 7

DISTRIBUTION OF NEWSLETTERS COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Thank you to those members who have indicated They would be happy to have electronic copies of Chairman Gillian Pope the Newsletter. If there are any other members Secretary Dot Cox who would prefer it this way please contact the Treasurer Jim Cooper membership secretary, Janet Robinson, email: Membership J anet Robinson

Secretary 26 Coalport Road [email protected] Broseley

TF12 5AZ

Those of you would prefer to have it in its printed 01952 882495 form can continue to look forward to receiving it Programme Secretary Neil Clarke through the post. and Journal Editor Newsletter Editor Mike Wallage Newsletter Editor: Publicity Jennie Osborn Michael Pope Could I possibly ask all Contributors to this Janet Doody Newsletter to try their best to see that all content Richard Sells reaches myself during the last week of the month Steve Dewhirst preceding publication. Email address is: Website www.broseley.org.uk [email protected] Email [email protected]

Also, if possible, could you include “BLHS” in the subject line of the email to make it easier to find in all the plethora of mails I sadly receive. Many thanks in anticipation for both these requests. WANTED Mike Wallage A new Treasurer to the Society. Jim Cooper is moving house

and is to resign the post at the AGM in October

To see this Newsletter in full colour, visit the website at www.broseley.org.uk.

Printed by MDT Reprographics Ltd © Published by Broseley Local History Society

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